A Compact Double-Stack 1911 For Everyday Carry?

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Screen capture from YouTube video.

1911s have a long and storied history among firearms models. John Browning designed the model for Colt in the early 1900s, and it’s been in service in at least some capacity since 1911.

That alone says a lot about the design.

Of course, like anything else, there have been attempts to update the original design to keep up with newer technology or preferences, and there is no shortage of manufacturers offering their take on the 1911 or upgrades and customizations that you can buy for your current 1911.

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One manufacturer that recently came out with an update on the 1911 design is Springfield Armory who, with their Prodigy model, offered a double-stack magazine (among other updates) to keep up with the demands of modern gun owners. You can read a review of the Prodigy here.

Now, Springfield Armory is also offering the Prodigy Compact, which is their double-stack 1911 with a 3.5″ or 4.25″ barrel to help with concealability. Ron Calderone writes,

This mini Prodigy is just the ticket for discreet carry. Prior models are available with 4.25 or 5-inch barrels, and this smaller version complements its full-size siblings but saves weight and space. It is nicely concealable.

I love what Springfield Armory has done with the 1911 platform. Many features combine to make this tiny Prodigy seem big. The wraparound grip has a sandpaper feel that stays put in my hands. Despite its small size, I feel in control of the pistol. The one-piece polymer grip is highly impact-resistant while increasing contact with my hands. The forward trigger guard is similarly textured for a confident grip. 

The Prodigy’s controls are designed to improve handling. The extended ambidextrous beavertail safety easily clicks off prior to shooting and protects my hand from hammer bite. My medium-size hand easily reaches the extended magazine release, which is reversible for lefties. Springfield Armory has wisely retained the grip safety. I do not notice it when I shoot, but I’m glad it is there if the gun is accidentally dropped or incorrectly handled.

The Prodigy comes with U-notch open sights. Simple and reliable, they serve to aim in close-quarters scenarios. I like the front sight. Its white circle-dot pattern is easy for my eye to pick up within the rear notch. The rear slide top is removable to accept any optic you wish to install, and several slide inserts come with the pistol.

Slide serrations at front and rear make racking the slide a snap. The skeletonized trigger and hammer reduce weight, of course, but they look cool, too. The trigger is mildly curved and serrated. It breaks under 6 pounds. Despite the pistol’s small size, there is a 1.5-inch Picatinny rail forward of the trigger guard for adding your flashlight or laser.

Calderone notes that the Prodigy Compact has a 15+1 capacity, with two magazines included, and that it has a forged carbon steel frame. The metal frame obviously makes this pistol heavier than a similar polymer pistol would be, but Calderone notes that “it has a well-balanced solid feel that makes it controllable.”

Calderone also writes that the Prodigy Compact “is my choice for carrying big firepower in a small package.”

He obviously likes this pistol quite a bit. You can get a good look at it in the Springfield Armory promo video below.

With an MSRP of $1,549, the pistol likely isn’t going to go on lists for those who are budget conscious for their next gun purchase, but if you love a 1911 and would love one that is both concealable and has higher capacity than a classic 1911, the Prodigy Compact may be a pistol to consider.

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